Cocobolo Wood Pendant

I was going to make a bunch of these and sell them on my site, but the cost/time/profit margins were just not there. This took about 45 minutes to make, and I think I could maybe get 40 bucks for it with a leather case. The corners are a bit harsh against your skin when you wear it, and it’s just a tad bit too bulky as well.

I gave it to my wife and she loved it.

-- "Anyone can post a quote on the internet and attribute the quote to a famous person." -Abraham Lincoln

@thesoninlaw, I also do wedding photography, and a few friends of mine were making a lot more money than me, so I asked them wtf was the secret, and they all said the same thing… You always sell the product like a pro. If you charge like an amateur you’re gonna get amateur prices for your work.

I quickly found the same thing applied to my wood work. I made that cedar box with the poplar inlay that’s in my project list, and sold it for way too cheap compared to what others were selling similar work for. The next thing I was asked to build, I really didn’t feel like making, so my wife says, “You don’t want to make it anyway, so just give them your I don’t want to make it price” so that’s what I did. They accepted the estimate, and the piece was commissioned.

I stopped asking myself what I would pay for something and started doing a LOT of research into what these guys in my area are charging for similar items, and charging more because I think I do it better. Someone sells a nice pen, I sell a little nicer pen, maybe make it a fountain pen, and include a wooden box.

I hope you don’t mind me adding my two cents, but I saw your box project, and you should be having no trouble with margins. Your work is fantastic.

-- "Anyone can post a quote on the internet and attribute the quote to a famous person." -Abraham Lincoln